ACRC Actively Communicates with the International Society and Foreign Entrepreneurs based in Seoul on Its Integrity Policy

- It is expected for Korea to advance to one of top 20 countries in CPI by 2022 by improving its incorrupt image domestically and internationally -

(22^nd Jun. 2021, ACRC)

As a national anti-corruption agency in Korea, Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission (Chairperson: Jeon Hyun-Heui; ACRC) continues its effort to promote anti-corruption policies and communicate in a multi-faceted manner to raise awareness about Korea in a positive way in the international society.

First, the commission regularly provides information on the outcome of anti-corruption policies of the Korean government to various prestigious international anti-corruption organizations, such as Transparency International (TI) and Bertelsmann Foundation (BF) to improve Korea’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), which is relatively undervalued compared to the country’s international status. By doing so, the ACRC tries to establish an accurate and objective understanding about Korea in the international society.

Notably, it continues to promote the innovative anti-corruption reform efforts of the Korean government through the recent legislation of Act on Prevention of Conflict of Interest in Activities of Public Officials as well as the outcome of the 19^th International Anti-Corruption Conference which was held in December last year on the largest scale in its history, showcasing Korea’s leadership in anti-corruption.

* Audiences: around 2,300 recipients including those at international organizations, foreign chambers of commerce, diplomatic offices, and foreign media, emails are sent out on a monthly basis.

Moreover, in collaboration with foreign chambers of commerce in Korea, the commission promotes anti-corruption policies and listens to difficulties in managing companies from foreign entrepreneurs in Korea every year. In March this year, the ACRC launched Foreign Enterprise Ombudsman to address various difficulties, complaints and unfair situations that foreign companies are faced with in their business in a preemptive manner. By working together with chambers of commerce of major countries, including the US, UK, Europe and Germany, it offered consultation to their member entrepreneurs about their requests for improving corporate regulations. In addition, the commission is working on the received corporate complaints, and provides consultation to entrepreneurs from other countries, such as Australia and Canada, as well.

It seems that the perception of foreign companies in the country toward Korea directly and indirectly influences Korea’s national image. Therefore, the commission expects that these efforts of the ACRC will also play a big role in boosting national integrity.

“To raise awareness about Korea in the international society, the ACRC has devoted to communications on policies domestically and internationally. As a result, the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) of Korea has gone up continuously for the last four years,” said Chairperson Jeon Hyun-Heui of the ACRC.

She added, “through the Foreign Enterprises Ombudsman that the ACRC launched this March, the commission will address complaints of foreign entrepreneurs, while strengthening promotion of anti-corruption policies. By doing so, it will create a solid foundation for Korea to become one of world’s top 20 countries in the CPI.”